- Connecting an iPhone to the Internet
- Connecting to the Internet via a Cellular Data Network
- Connecting to Other Devices Using Bluetooth
- Connecting to Other iPhones, iPod touches, and iPads
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Connecting to Other Devices Using Bluetooth
The iPhone includes built-in Bluetooth support so that you can use this wireless technology to connect to other Bluetooth-capable devices. The most likely device to connect to iPhone in this way are Bluetooth headphones, but you can also use Bluetooth to connect to other kinds of devices, most notably, keyboards, headphones, computers, iPod touches, iPads, and other iPhones.
To connect Bluetooth devices together, you pair them. In Bluetooth, pairing enables two Bluetooth devices to communicate with each other. The one constant requirement is that the devices can communicate with each other via Bluetooth. For devices to “find” and identify each other so that they can communicate, one or both must be discoverable, which means they broadcast a Bluetooth signal that other devices can detect and connect to.
There is also a “sometimes” requirement, which is a pairing code, passkey, or PIN. All those terms refer to the same thing, which is a series of numbers that are entered in one or all devices being paired. Sometimes you enter this code on both devices, whereas for other devices you enter the first device’s code on the second device. Some devices don’t require a PIN at all.
When you have to pair devices, you’re prompted to do so, and you have to complete the actions required by the prompt to communicate via Bluetooth.
The next task demonstrates pairing an iPhone with a Bluetooth keyboard; you can pair it with other devices similarly.
- Move to the Settings screen.
- Tap General.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap OFF. Bluetooth starts up, and the status becomes ON. The iPhone immediately begins searching for Bluetooth devices. You also see the status Now Discoverable, which means that other Bluetooth devices can discover the iPhone.
- Put the other device in Discoverable mode. (See the instructions provided with the device.) The two devices find each other. On the iPhone, the other device is listed but shown as Not Paired. You might be prompted to enter a passkey on one device or both.
- Tap the device to which you want to connect. If a passkey is required, you see a prompt to enter it on the device with which you are pairing.
- Input the required passkey, such as typing the passkey on a keyboard if you are pairing with a Bluetooth keyboard.
- If required, tap Connect; some devices connect as soon as you enter the passkey and you won’t need to do this. You see the device to which the iPhone is connected in the Devices section of the Bluetooth screen. If the device works without any further configuration, you can use it. In some cases, you need to configure the device to work with the iPhone.
